Plasmonic/Magnetic Multifunctional nanoplatform for Cancer Theranostics

A Systematic Study on Long-acting Nanobubbles: Current Advancement and Prospects on Theranostic Properties

Delivery of diagnostic drugs via nanobubbles (NBs) has shown to be an emerging field of study. Due to their small size, NBs may more easily travel through constricted blood vessels and precisely target certain bodily parts. NB is considered the major treatment for cancer treatment and other diseases which are difficult to diagnose. The field of NBs is dynamic and continues to grow as researchers discover new properties and seek practical applications in various fields. The predominant usage of NBs in novel drug delivery is to enhance the bioavailability, and controlled drug release along with imaging properties NBs are important because they may change interfacial characteristics including surface force, lubrication, and absorption. The quick diffusion of gas into the water was caused by a hypothetical film that was stimulated and punctured by a strong acting force at the gas/water contact of the bubble. In this article, various prominent aspects of NBs have been discussed, along with the long-acting nature, and the theranostical aspect which elucidates the potential marketed drugs along with clinical trial products. The article also covers quality by design aspects, different production techniques that enable method-specific therapeutic applications, increasing the floating time of the bubble, and refining its properties to enhance the prepared NB's quality. NB containing both analysis and curing properties makes it special from other nano-carriers. This work includes all the possible methods of preparing NB, its application, all marketed drugs, and products in clinical trials.

Magneto-optical nanosystems for tumor multimodal imaging and therapy in-vivo

Multimodal imaging, which combines the strengths of two or more imaging modalities to provide complementary anatomical and molecular information, has emerged as a robust technology for enhancing diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy, as well as improving treatment monitoring. Moreover, the application of multimodal imaging in guiding precision tumor treatment can prevent under- or over-treatment, thereby maximizing the benefits for tumor patients. In recent years, several intriguing magneto-optical nanosystems with both magnetic and optical properties have been developed, leading to significant breakthroughs in the field of multimodal imaging and image-guided tumor therapy. These advancements pave the way for precise tumor medicine. This review summarizes various types of magneto-optical nanosystems developed recently and describes their applications as probes for multimodal imaging and agents for image-guided therapeutic interventions. Finally, future research and development prospects of magneto-optical nanosystems are discussed along with an outlook on their further applications in the biomedical field.

Synthesis and toxicity assessment of Coffea arabica extract-derived gold nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin in lung cancer cell cultures

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, despite the many treatments available, cancer patients face side effects that reduce their quality of life. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel strategies to increase the efficacy of treatments. In this study, gold nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis with Coffea arabica green bean extract were loaded with Doxorubicin, (a highly effective but non-specific drug) by direct interaction and using commercial organic ligands that allow colloidal dispersion at physiological and tumor pH. Conjugation of these components resulted in stable nanohybrids at physiological pH and a tumor pH release dependent, with a particle size less than 40 nm despite having the ligands and Doxorubicin loaded on their surface, which gave them greater specificity and cytotoxicity in H69 tumor cells.

Magnetic-Plasmonic Nanocomposites as Versatile Substrates for Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Spectroscopy

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, a highly sensitive technique for detecting trace-level analytes, relies on plasmonic substrates. The choice of substrate, its morphology, and the excitation wavelength are crucial in SERS applications. To address advanced SERS requirements, the design and use of efficient nanocomposite substrates have become increasingly important. Notably, magnetic-plasmonic (MP) nanocomposites, which combine magnetic and plasmonic properties within a single particle system, stand out as promising nanoarchitectures with versatile applications in nanomedicine and SERS spectroscopy. In this review, we present an overview of MP nanocomposite fabrication methods, explore surface functionalization strategies, and evaluate their use in SERS. Our focus is on how different nanocomposite designs, magnetic and plasmonic properties, and surface modifications can significantly influence their SERS-related characteristics, thereby affecting their performance in specific applications such as separation, environmental monitoring, and biological applications. Reviewing recent studies highlights the multifaceted nature of these materials, which have great potential to transform SERS applications across a range of fields, from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring. Finally, we discuss the prospects of MP nanocomposites, anticipating favorable developments that will make substantial contributions to various scientific and technological areas.

Synthesis of Fe3O4-Gold hybrid nanoparticles coated by bovine serum albumin as a contrast agent in MR imaging

Despite the over spatial separation and the ability to determine soft tissues, insufficient contrast is the shortcoming of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that could be circumvented by the use of contrast agents. The use of MRI contrast agents are widely applied to enhance the vision of internal body structures. Nano-sized contrast materials have unique application advantages compared to other contrast agents due to their size and shape. However, for contrast agents such as bare iron (II, III) oxide (Fe₃O₄) magnetic nanoparticles (NPs), aggregation and accumulation are the main shortcomings. Thus, surface modifications are necessary for their use in biopharmaceutical applications. Gold, Au, nanoparticles are of big interesting for use in biomedical purposes due to their chemical stability and oxidation resistance. In this study, we synthesized magnetic Fe₃O₄-Au hybrid NPs with a facile method and coated them with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to increase their chemical stability and biocompatibility. Afterwards, the hybrid nanosystem was characterized by some methods, and their potential to increase MRI contrast was investigated by the phantom MRI experiments. Our data showed that the signal intensity on MR images was significantly reduced, thus confirming the contrast ability of the formulated Fe₃O₄-Au-BSA NPs.

Current Methods for Synthesis and Potential Applications of Cobalt Nanoparticles: A Review

Cobalt nanoparticles (CoNPs) are promising nanomaterials with exceptional catalytic magnetic, electronic, and chemical properties. The nano size and developed surface open a wide range of applications of cobalt nanoparticles in biomedicine along with those properties. The present review assessed the current environmentally friendly synthesis methods used to synthesize CoNPs with various properties, such as size, zeta potential, surface area, and magnetic properties. We systematized several methods and provided some examples to illustrate the synthetic process of CoNPs, along with the properties, the chemical formula of obtained CoNPs, and their method of analysis. In addition, we also looked at the potential application of CoNPs from water purification cytostatic agents against cancer to theranostic and diagnostic agents. Moreover, CoNPs also can be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging and photoacoustic methods. This review features a comprehensive understanding of the synthesis methods and applications of CoNPs, which will help guide future studies on CoNPs.

Theranostic applications of stimulus-responsive systems based on Fe2O3

According to the interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems, enthusiasm for nanotechnology in biomedical applications has been developed in the past decades. Fe2O3 nanoparticles, as the most stable iron oxide, have special merits that make them useful widely for detecting diseases, therapy, drug delivery, and monitoring the therapeutic process. This review presents the fabrication methods of Fe2O3-based materials and their photocatalytic and magnetic properties. Then, we highlight the application of Fe2O3-based nanoparticles in diagnosis and imaging, different therapy methods, and finally, stimulus-responsive systems, such as pH-responsive, magnetic-responsive, redox-responsive, and enzyme-responsive, with an emphasis on cancer treatment. In addition, the potential of Fe2O3 to combine diagnosis and therapy within a single particle called theranostic agent will be discussed.

Fabricating Dual-Functional Plasmonic-Magnetic Au@MgFe2O4 Nanohybrids for Photothermal Therapy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Bifunctional nanohybrids possessing both plasmonic and magnetic functionalities are of great interest for biomedical applications owing to their capability for simultaneous therapy and diagnostics. Herein, we fabricate a core-shell structured plasmonic-magnetic nanocomposite system that can serve as a dual-functional agent due to its combined photothermal therapeutic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) functions. The photothermal activity of the hybrid is attributed to its plasmonic Au core, which is capable of absorbing near-infrared (NIR) light and converting it into heat. Meanwhile, the magnetic MgFe₂O₄ shell exerts its ability to act as a MRI contrast agent. Our in vivo studies using tumor-bearing mice demonstrated the nanohybrids' excellent photothermal and MRI properties. As a photothermal therapeutic agent, the nanohybrids were able to dramatically shrink solid tumors in mice through NIR-induced hyperthermia. As T ₂-weighted MRI contrast agents, the nanohybrids were found capable of substantially reducing the MRI signal intensity of the tumor region at 10 min postinjection. With their dual plasmonic-magnetic functionality, these Au@MgFe₂O₄ nanohybrids hold great promise not only in the biomedical field but also in the areas of catalysis and optical sensing.

2D Nanosheets-A New Class of Therapeutic Formulations against Cancer

Researchers in cancer nanomedicine are exploring a revolutionary multifaceted carrier for treatment and diagnosis, resulting in the proposal of various drug cargos or "magic bullets" in this past decade. Even though different nano-based complexes are registered for clinical trials, very few products enter the final stages each year because of various issues. This prevents the formulations from entering the market and being accessible to patients. In the search for novel materials, the exploitation of 2D nanosheets, including but not limited to the highly acclaimed graphene, has created extensive interest for biomedical applications. A unique set of properties often characterize 2D materials, including semiconductivity, high surface area, and their chemical nature, which allow simple decoration and functionalization procedures, structures with high stability and targeting properties, vectors for controlled and sustained release of drugs, and materials for thermal-based therapies. This review discusses the challenges and opportunities of recently discovered 2D nanosheets for cancer therapeutics, with special attention paid to the most promising design technologies and their potential for clinical translation in the future.

Exploiting gold nanoparticles for diagnosis and cancer treatments

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) represent a relatively simple nanosystem to be synthesised and functionalized. AuNPs offer numerous advantages over different nanomaterials, primarily due to highly optimized protocols for their production with sizes in the range 1-150 nm and shapes, spherical, nanorods (AuNRs), nanocages, nanostars or nanoshells (AuNSs), just to name a few. AuNPs possess unique properties both from the optical and chemical point of view. AuNPs can absorb and scatter light with remarkable efficiency. Their outstanding interaction with light is due to the conduction electrons on the metal surface undergoing a collective oscillation when they are excited by light at specific wavelengths. This oscillation, known as a localized surface plasmon resonance, causes the absorption and scattering intensities of AuNPs to be significantly higher than identically sized non-plasmonic nanoparticles. In addition, AuNP absorption and scattering properties can be tuned by controlling the particle size, shape, and the local refractive index near the particle surface. By the chemical side, AuNPs offer the advantage of functionalization with therapeutic agents through covalent and ionic binding, which can be useful for biomedical applications, with particular emphasis on cancer treatments. Functionalized AuNPs exhibit good biocompatibility and controllable distribution patterns when delivered in cells and tissues, which make them particularly fine candidates for the basis of innovative therapies. Currently, major available AuNP-based cancer therapeutic approaches are the photothermal therapy (PTT) or photodynamic therapy (PDT). PTT and PDT rely upon irradiation of surface plasmon resonant AuNPs (previously delivered in cancer cells) by light, in particular, in the near-infrared range. Under irradiation, AuNPs surface electrons are excited and resonate intensely, and fast conversion of light into heat takes place in about 1 ps. The cancer cells are destroyed by the induced hyperthermia, i.e. the condition under which cells are subject to temperature in the range of 41 °C-47 °C for tens of minutes. The review is focused on the description of the optical and thermal properties of AuNPs that underlie their continuous and progressive exploitation for diagnosis and cancer therapy.

Application and Importance of Theranostics in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer

The number of cancer cases worldwide in terms of morbidity and mortality is a serious concern, despite the presence of therapeutic interventions and supportive care. Limitations in the current available diagnosis methods and treatments methods may contribute to the increase in cancer mortality. Theranostics, is a novel approach that has opened avenues for the simultaneous precise diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients. Although still in the early development stage, theranostic agents such as quantum dots, radioisotopes, liposomes and plasmonic nanobubbles can be bound to anticancer drugs, cancer cell markers and imaging agents, with the support of available imaging techniques, provide the potential to facilitate diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer patients. Herein, we discuss the potential benefits of several theranostic tools for the management of cancer. Specifically, quantum dots, radio-labelled isotopes, liposomes and plasmonic nanobubbles coupled with targeting agents and/or anticancer molecules and imaging agents as theranostic agents are deliberated upon in this review. Overall, the use of theranostic agents shows promise in cancer management. Nevertheless, intensive research is required to realize these expectations.

Recent advances in high-sensitivity detection methods for paper-based lateral-flow assay

Paper-based lateral-flow assays (LFAs) have achieved considerable commercial success and continue to have a significant impact on medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. Conventional LFAs are typically performed by examining the color changes in the test bands by naked eye. However, for critical biochemical markers that are present in extremely small amounts in the clinical specimens, this readout method is not quantitative, and does not provide sufficient sensitivity or suitable detection limit for a reliable assay. Diverse technologies for high-sensitivity LFA detection have been developed and commercialization efforts are underway. In this review, we aim to provide a critical and objective overview of the recent progress in high-sensitivity LFA detection technologies, which involve the exploitation of the physical and chemical responses of transducing particles. The features and biomedical applications of the technologies, along with future prospects and challenges, are also discussed.

Improved synergic therapeutic effects of chemoradiation therapy with the aid of a co-drug-loaded nano-radiosensitizer under conventional-dose X-ray irradiation

The goal of this work is to harness the advantages of a targeted hybrid nanostructure, BSA-coated Fe₃O₄ (F)-Au heterodimer, as a radiosensitizer and co-delivery vehicle of chemotherapeutic drugs for enhanced synergic cancer therapy and protection of healthy tissues.

Magnetic Nanoparticles: Current Trends and Future Aspects in Diagnostics and Nanomedicine

Background:

Biomedical applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) are creating a major impact on disease diagnosis and nanomedicine or a combined platform called theranostics. A significant progress has been made to engineer novel and hybrid MNPs for their multifunctional modalities such as imaging, biosensors, chemotherapeutic or photothermal and antimicrobial agents. MNPs are successfully applied in biomedical applications due to their unique and tunable properties such as superparamagnetism, stability, and biocompatibility. Approval of ferumoxytol (feraheme) for MRI and the fact that several Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) are currently undergoing clinical trials have paved a path for future MNPs formulations. Intensive research is being carried out in designing and developing novel nanohybrids for multiple applications in nanomedicine.

Objective:

The objective of the present review is to summarize recent developments of MNPs in imaging modalities like MRI, CT, PET and PA, biosensors and nanomedicine including their role in targeting and drug delivery. Relevant theory and examples of the use of MNPs in these applications have been cited and discussed to create a thorough understanding of the developments in this field.

Conclusion:

MNPs have found widespread use as contrast agents in imaging modalities, as tools for bio-sensing, and as therapeutic and theranostics agents. Multiple formulations of MNPs are in clinical testing and may be accepted in clinical settings in near future.

Nano-carriers for targeted delivery and biomedical imaging enhancement

Theranostic approaches using nanotechnology have been a hot research area for the past decade. All nano drug delivery techniques and architectures have some limitations, as do diagnostic nano-approaches. Thus, combining nano drug delivery strategies with diagnostic techniques using nanoparticles for improving imaging modalities has been the key to fill up those gaps. In the past decade, lots of approaches have been made with different combinations of biomaterials fabricated/synthesized to nanostructures with modified surface functionalization to improve their overall theranostic properties. This article summarizes recent research works based on the biomaterials used for fabricating these nanostructures. Their combinations with other biomaterials have been demonstrated with their overall advantages and limitations.

Gold-decorated magnetic nanoparticles design for hyperthermia applications and as a potential platform for their surface-functionalization

The integration of noble metal and magnetic nanoparticles with controlled structures that can couple various specific effects to the different nanocomposite in multifunctional nanosystems have been found interesting in the field of medicine. In this work, we show synthesis route to prepare small Au nanoparticles of sizes  = 3.9 ± 0.2 nm attached to Fe3O4 nanoparticle cores ( = 49.2 ± 3.5 nm) in aqueous medium for potential application as a nano-heater. Remarkably, the resulted Au decorated PEI-Fe3O4 (Au@PEI-Fe3O4) nanoparticles are able to retain bulk magnetic moment MS = 82-84 Am2/kgFe3O4, with the Verwey transition observed at TV = 98 K. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity analysis of the nanosystem microglial BV2 cells showed high viability (>97.5%) to concentrate up to 100 µg/mL in comparison to the control samples. In vitro heating experiments on microglial BV2 cells under an ac magnetic field (H0 = 23.87 kA/m; f = 571 kHz) yielded specific power absorption (SPA) values of SPA = 43 ± 3 and 49 ± 1 μW/cell for PEI-Fe3O4 and Au@PEI-Fe3O4 NPs, respectively. These similar intracellular SPA values imply that functionalization of the magnetic particles with Au did not change the heating efficiency, providing at the same time a more flexible platform for multifunctional functionalization.

Designing Magnetically Responsive Biohybrids Composed of Cord Blood-Derived Natural Killer Cells and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

We report the generation of magnetically responsive, cord blood-derived natural killer (NK) cells using iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). NK cells are a promising immune cell population for cancer cell therapy as they can target and lyse target tumor cells without prior education. However, NK cells cannot home to disease sites based on antigen recognition, instead relying primarily on external stimuli and chemotactic gradients for transport. Hence, we hypothesized that conjugating IONPs onto the surface of NK cells provides an added feature of magnetic homing to the NK cells, improving their therapeutic function. We describe a robust design for conjugating the IONPs onto the surface of NK cells, which maintains their intrinsic phenotype and function. The conferred magnetic-responsiveness is utilized to improve the cytolytic function of the NK cells for target cells in 2D and 3D models. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of improving NK cell homing and therapeutic efficacy with our NK:IONP "biohybrid".

Polyelectrolyte-Stabilised Magnetic-Plasmonic Nanocomposites

In this work, new magnetic-plasmonic nanocomposites have been developed through the use of two complementary polyelectrolytes⁻polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). PSS, a negatively charged polyelectrolyte, was utilized as a stabiliser for magnetite nanoparticles, and PAH, a positively charged polyelectrolyte, was used to stabilize gold nanoparticles. The combination of these two entities resulted in a magnetic-plasmonic nanocomposite that is highly reproducible and scalable. This approach was found to work for a variety of PSS concentrations. The produced magnetic-plasmonic nanomaterials have been characterized by vibrational sample magnetometry (VSM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. These nanocomposite materials have the potential to be used in a variety of biological applications including bioseparation and biosensing.

Biofunctionalized MnFe2O4@Au core-shell nanoparticles for pH-responsive drug delivery and hyperthermal agent for cancer therapy

Novel materials are explored very often by material scientists to design an efficient drug delivery system to target carcinoma cells. Among various nanosystem, functionalized Iron oxide Nanoparticles (IoNP) were definitely studied especially to target, endocyte and release drug moieties inside the cells. This IoNP platform is usually composed of an inorganic core and a highly biocompatible shell layer in order to perform numerous tasks at the same time, such as drug delivery, multimodal imaging, and instantaneous monitoring, along with collective therapeutic approaches. Hence, in this work, MnFe₂O₄@Au nanoparticles (Mf@A) are used as a structure for docking anti-cancer drug using a coupling molecule for the precise targeting. The formation of the core-shell structure was corroborated by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and line mapping techniques. Superconducting quantum interference device confirms the fabricated nanostructure is favorably superparamagnetic. The stability of nanoparticles was examined by measuring the zeta-potential measurements. The binding efficiency of the drug onto the Mf@A was found to be >90%. Drug-release was carried out at different pH and found that the release is maximum at lower pH. Finally, at 2.45 GHz we employed as a magneto-hyperthermal agent which produced heat to kill the cancerous cell.

Metallic Nanoparticles for Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy, or the utilization of the body's immune system to attack tumor cells, has gained prominence over the past few decades as a viable cancer treatment strategy. Recently approved immunotherapeutics have conferred remission upon patients with previously bleak outcomes and have expanded the number of tools available to treat cancer. Nanoparticles -including polymeric, liposomal, and metallic formulations - naturally traffic to the spleen and lymph organs and the relevant immune cells therein, making them good candidates for delivery of immunotherapeutic agents. Metallic nanoparticle formulations in particular are advantageous because of their potential for dense surface functionalization and their capability for optical or heat based therapeutic methods. Many research groups have investigated the potential of nanoparticle-mediated delivery platforms to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies. Despite the significant preclinical successes demonstrated by many of these platforms over the last twenty years, few metallic nanoparticles have successfully entered clinical trials with none achieving FDA approval for cancer therapy. In this review, we will discuss preclinical research and clinical trials involving metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) for cancer immunotherapy applications and discuss the potential for clinical translation of MNPs.

Iron Oxide and Gold Based Magneto-Plasmonic Nanostructures for Medical Applications: A Review

Iron oxide and gold-based magneto-plasmonic nanostructures exhibit remarkable optical and superparamagnetic properties originating from their two different components. As a consequence, they have improved and broadened the application potential of nanomaterials in medicine. They can be used as multifunctional nanoprobes for magneto-plasmonic heating as well as for magnetic and optical imaging. They can also be used for magnetically assisted optical biosensing, to detect extreme traces of targeted bioanalytes. This review introduces the previous work on magneto-plasmonic hetero-nanostructures including: (i) their synthesis from simple “one-step” to complex “multi-step” routes, including seed-mediated and non-seed-mediated methods; and (ii) the characterization of their multifunctional features, with a special emphasis on the relationships between their synthesis conditions, their structures and their properties. It also focuses on the most important progress made with regard to their use in nanomedicine, keeping in mind the same aim, the correlation between their morphology—namely spherical and non-spherical, core-satellite and core-shell, and the desired applications.

Tailoring of physicochemical properties of nanocarriers for effective anti-cancer applications

Nanotechnology has emerged strongly as a viable option to overcome the challenge of early diagnosis and effective drug delivery, for cancer treatment. Emerging research articles have expounded the advantages of using a specific type of nanomaterial-based system called as "nanocarriers," for anti-cancer therapy. The nanocarrier system is used as a transport unit for targeted drug delivery of the therapeutic drug moiety. In order for the nanocarriers to be effective for anticancer therapy, their physicochemical parameter needs to be tuned so that bio-functionalisation can be achieved to (1) allow drugs being attached to the substrate and for their controlled release, (2) ensure the stability of the nanocarrier up to the point of delivery, and (3) clearance of the nanocarrier after the delivery. It is therefore envisaged that tailoring of the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers can greatly influence their reactivity and interaction in the biological milieu, and this is becoming an important parameter for increasing the efficacy of cancer therapy. This review emphasizes the importance of physicochemical properties of nanocarriers, and how they influence its usage as chemotherapeutic drug carriers. The goal of this review is to present a correlation between the physicochemical properties of the nanocarriers and its intended action, and how their design based on these properties can enhance their cancer combating abilities while minimizing damage to the healthy tissues. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2906-2928, 2017.